Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Paris on Thursday for the final leg of his France visit, set to attend VivaTech 2026 — Europe's biggest startup and technology event — alongside French President Emmanuel Macron. Modi will inaugurate Bharat Innovates 2026, a landmark India-France initiative connecting Indian deep-tech startups with global investors, and address the global AI governance debate on the VivaTech main stage.
Bharat Innovates 2026: India's Deep-Tech Showcase
Modi and Macron jointly inaugurated Bharat Innovates 2026 in Nice earlier during Modi's visit. The initiative aims to connect 120 Indian deep-tech startups with global investors, providing a platform for Indian innovation in AI, biotech, clean energy, and space technology. India will have the largest national pavilion at VivaTech 2026, underscoring the country's growing stature as a technology powerhouse.
The initiative builds on the Franco-Indian Year of Innovation and the India-France strategic partnership, which spans defense, space, nuclear energy, and now deep-tech entrepreneurship. For Indian startups, access to European markets and French venture capital represents a significant growth opportunity.
| Area | India-France Collaboration |
|---|---|
| Deep-tech startups | 120 startups at Bharat Innovates 2026 |
| AI governance | Modi's MANAV framework at VivaTech |
| Space | ISRO-CNES cooperation |
| Defense | Rafale, Scorpene, joint production |
| Nuclear energy | Jaitapur project, SMR collaboration |
Modi's AI Governance Vision
Modi's presence at VivaTech is particularly significant given his role as a leading voice on global AI governance. He has established himself as a key figure in the international debate on responsible, inclusive AI, speaking at the GPAI Summit, Paris AI Action Summit, and India AI Impact Summit 2026. His MANAV framework (Moral and Ethical Systems, Accountable Governance, National Sovereignty, Accessible and Inclusive, Valid and Legitimate AI) provides a roadmap for AI governance rooted in democratic values and Global South priorities.
As Voxlogue reported, the US is also shaping AI governance through Trump's recent executive order, making this a pivotal moment for global AI policy. Modi's message carrying a demanding vision that technology must serve humanity positions India as a bridge between Western AI giants and the developing world.
India-France Partnership: Vital for Global Progress
Modi described the India-France partnership as vital for global progress, emphasizing cooperation on energy security, climate change, and technology. The visit also saw Modi meeting members of the Indian diaspora in Paris, underscoring the people-to-people ties that underpin the strategic relationship. For India's tech ecosystem, the VivaTech engagement opens doors to European markets, talent, and investment at a time when Indian startups are increasingly looking beyond traditional Silicon Valley connections.
